Group 1 - The EU allies are considering a gradual easing of sanctions on Russia if a comprehensive ceasefire agreement can be reached, with an initial 15-day ceasefire period during which sanctions would still be effective [2] - Italy is pushing for European involvement in discussions between the US and Russia regarding Ukraine, emphasizing the need for clear military, economic, and political guarantees for Ukraine [2] - The US government has been reported to consider easing sanctions, particularly on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, although this has been denied by US officials [2] Group 2 - The potential easing of sanctions may not be a strong enough incentive for Putin, as European cooperation is essential for Russia to gain substantial benefits [3] - The Russian economy has faced significant challenges due to sanctions, with a sharp decline in energy sales to Europe and exclusion from international payment systems, yet the IMF predicts a modest growth rate of about 1% over the next three years [3] - Despite a two-thirds reduction in European gas imports from Russia, the revenue from fossil fuels remains resilient, with daily earnings in July reported at €585 million, which is less than half of early 2022 levels [3] Group 3 - The EU aims to eliminate Russian imports by 2027, making it unlikely to significantly increase energy purchases from Russia [4] - The EU is cautious about actions that could support Putin's military expansion, such as restoring access to the SWIFT payment system or unfreezing the Central Bank of Russia's assets [4] - The best strategy for the US to achieve peace may involve threatening more severe sanctions, although there is little interest from the US administration in such measures [4]